Pneumatic Shock Absorber for Vehicle Blast Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shock absorber systems for vehicles, particularly in military contexts, are heavy and fail to effectively mitigate the effects of blast and shock events on vehicle operation and occupant safety, as they rely on material density and energy dissipation mechanisms that add significant mass to the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A shock absorber system featuring a fluid/gas-filled telescopic capsule with a rupture disk for pressure relief, strategically positioned between a shield and its base, to absorb and dissipate blast energy, maintaining the shield's stability and preserving vehicle mobility by using a combination of gas compression and liquid damping, along with optional air gaps or fill materials for enhanced shock absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional blast shields are designed using material density and inertia to absorb blast energy, then blast protection capability is improved, but vehicle mass increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using a gas-filled capsule (containing nitrogen or other gases) as the primary blast attenuation mechanism. The gas compresses under blast pressure to absorb energy, replacing traditional solid mass-based shields. This pneumatic approach provides effective blast protection while maintaining significantly lower mass compared to conventional dense material shields.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the shielding medium from solid (traditional armor plates) to gaseous (compressible gas in capsule). By changing the state parameter from solid to gas, the system achieves comparable blast energy absorption with dramatically reduced density and mass, directly resolving the contradiction between protection capability and vehicle weight.
2Reliability
If rigid blast shielding is mounted on vehicles to protect against shock events, then occupant safety is improved, but vehicle mobility and operational functionality deteriorate due to added mass
Solution Approach 1:
The gas-filled telescopic capsule uses pneumatic compression and hydraulic damping (via piston movement in fluid) to provide active shock absorption. This dynamic pneumatic-hydraulic system maintains occupant safety by attenuating blast forces while being lightweight enough to preserve vehicle mobility and operational ease, unlike rigid mass-based shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static rigid shielding to a dynamic system where the gas capsule and telescopic mechanism actively respond to shock events. The system dynamically compresses and rebounds to absorb and dissipate blast energy, providing protection without the permanent mass penalty of rigid armor, thus maintaining vehicle mobility and operational flexibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If shock absorber systems use mechanical springs and dampers to reduce blast effects, then shock attenuation is improved, but device complexity and mass increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring function and damper function into a single integrated gas-filled telescopic capsule. The gas provides the spring (elastic) function through compression, while the piston moving through fluid provides the damper (viscous) function. This merging of functions into one component reduces device complexity compared to separate mechanical spring and damper assemblies while maintaining effective shock attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
By using pneumatic (gas) and hydraulic (fluid) principles within a single capsule, the patent achieves both spring and damper functionality in one integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate mechanical springs and dampers, reducing overall system complexity while providing comprehensive shock attenuation through the combined gas compression and fluid damping mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces the impact of blast and shock events on vehicles, maintaining operational functionality and occupant safety by dissipating energy through a combination of gas compression and liquid damping, while minimizing added weight through the use of a lightweight, robust design.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of gas compression and liquid damping
Implementation Method 2
using a combination of gas compression and liquid damping
Implementation Method 3
liquid damping
Implementation Method 4
a rupture disk for pressure relief
Data Source
AI summary
A shock absorber system for use with a vehicle having a shield to reduce the effects of a shock event.